“Same pa rin, yung past naging lesson sa’kin yun. And at the same time excited ako ulit makalaro para sa national team, [at] makapag-provide ng leadership,” added Castro, who is one of the team’s eldest statesman at 32.

“As one of the veterans, yun nga, kulang nila is guidance.”

While they served their suspension, Gilas’s record has been 1-2 in Group F – dropping to a tie with Japan. Though the Philippines holds the tiebreaker advantage over Japan, both Rosario and Castro are looking to control what the team has control of.

“This time yung focus namin against Iran… After nung game sa Kazakhstan, sinabi ni coach Yeng na we still have a chance para maging number two, as long as na matalo natin yung Iran,” disclosed Castro, who is averaging 14.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in the continental tourney.

This time around, though, head coach Chot Reyes won’t be manning the sidelines for Gilas, since Yeng Guiao has been tapped as the permanent mentor of the national team. And based on their fluid practice held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday evening, it seems that the two stalwarts have integrated themselves well.